UAV Collision Warning System with Dynamic Autopilot Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aircraft face challenges in effectively avoiding collisions due to manual input errors during obstacle avoidance maneuvers, which can lead to collisions, especially in situations requiring swift and accurate responses.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aircraft system equipped with a flight control system, including a flight control unit, navigation system, actuator system, and collision warning system, where the collision warning system provides data to an autopilot unit to initiate obstacle avoidance maneuvers, and a data connection system with a prevention mechanism to temporarily block or abort these maneuvers, ensuring safe operation even in cases of data link failures or delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual obstacle avoidance maneuvers are performed by the operator, then the aircraft can respond to collision situations, but input errors may occur leading to failed collision avoidance
Solution Approach 1:
The autopilot unit automatically executes obstacle avoidance maneuvers based on collision avoidance data from the collision warning system, eliminating the need for manual operator input and thereby removing human input errors while maintaining reliable collision avoidance
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical control system is replaced with an automated electronic control system where the autopilot unit receives collision avoidance data and automatically generates control commands to execute maneuvers, substituting human operation with automated mechanical/electronic control
2Reliability
If automatic obstacle avoidance maneuvers are initiated by the autopilot unit, then manual input errors are eliminated, but unnecessary maneuvers may be executed due to false collision warnings
Solution Approach 1:
The control station provides feedback to the autopilot unit to confirm or cancel obstacle avoidance maneuvers. The collision avoidance data is transmitted to the control station for verification, and the operator can send cancellation commands if the warning is false, thereby reducing unnecessary maneuvers while maintaining automated execution
Solution Approach 2:
The control station acts as an intermediary between the collision warning system and the autopilot unit. It receives collision avoidance data, allows operator verification, and can send cancellation commands to prevent unnecessary maneuvers, mediating between automated detection and automated execution
3Ease of operation
If the connection between the collision warning system and the autopilot unit is blocked temporarily, then unnecessary obstacle avoidance maneuvers can be prevented, but the aircraft may be vulnerable to actual collisions during the blocking period
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the collision warning system and autopilot unit is made dynamic rather than static. It can be temporarily blocked when needed (e.g., during landing gear deployment) but automatically restored when the dynamic condition changes, allowing flexible control while maintaining reliability when required
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by allowing temporary blocking of the connection before actual collisions can occur. The operator can prevent maneuvers during known vulnerable periods (like landing gear deployment), and the system is designed to handle this temporary vulnerability through prior planning and automatic restoration
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aircraft, unmanned aviation system and method for collision avoidance during the flight operation of an unmanned aircraft are provided. The unmanned aircraft includes a lift and propulsion system and a flight control system having a flight control unit, a navigation system and an actuator system. The flight control unit has an autopilot unit. The flight control unit calculates control commands using data from the navigation system and/or the autopilot unit, which can be conveyed to the actuator system for actuating the lift and propulsion system. A collision warning system is connected with the flight control system, the collision warning system detects a collision situation and makes collision avoidance data available. A connection between the collision warning system and the autopilot unit is provided, in order to initiate an obstacle avoidance maneuver by the autopilot unit with the help of the collision avoidance data.